When Annie joined the Mentorship Program, she was carrying a powerful vision and a deep commitment to telling meaningful stories, but she felt overwhelmed by the number of ideas she wanted to pursue. Like many photographers working at a serious level, she had no shortage of stories, but lacked clarity on where to begin, how to focus her energy, and how to move one project forward with intention.

From the start, our work together centered on creating that clarity. The mentorship became a space where Annie could slow down, think critically, and articulate what truly mattered in her work. She describes it as a place where she felt safe and supported, able to speak openly about her fears and insecurities without judgment. That foundation of trust made it possible to move from uncertainty to focus, and from ideas to action.

A defining chapter of Annie’s mentorship journey was the development of her successful National Geographic Explorer Grant proposal. Over a series of one-on-one sessions, we worked closely on the application, writing and rewriting the proposal many times. Every word, every sentence, every idea was questioned and refined. Through this process of critical and analytical thinking, Annie learned how to sharpen her focus, clarify her intentions, and position her project with precision and depth.

This work was not only about winning a grant. It fundamentally changed how Annie approaches her practice. What once felt scattered became intentional. What once felt overwhelming became structured. She gained a clearer understanding of how to develop a project over time and how to communicate its importance with confidence.

That clarity led to a major milestone: Annie was awarded the National Geographic Explorer Grant, one of the most prestigious recognitions in photography, conservation, and storytelling. For her, this achievement was life-changing. It marked a profound recognition of her vision and her commitment to telling impactful stories, and it opened the door to a new chapter in her career.

Her funded project, We Used to Watch the Rivers Go By, is a photography, writing, and video project focused on the water crisis and forest degradation in Jordan, a country with some of the world’s scarcest renewable water resources per capita. The project examines how climate change, rising temperatures, and the misuse of water resources are pushing fragile ecosystems to the brink of collapse. It documents the death of endemic trees in the Dana Biosphere Reserve, one of Jordan’s most ecologically diverse forests, and the threats facing the last remaining wetlands of Azraq in northeastern Jordan.

Through this work, Annie connects land and water, weaving together oral history, collective memory, and indigenous knowledge. Her aim is not only to document environmental loss, but to reimagine how we tell stories about nature, biodiversity, and survival, engaging communities and protecting what remains.

Alongside this long-term project, Annie continues to share her voice through film. Her short documentary The Poem We Sang, focused on Palestine, reflects her ongoing commitment to using storytelling as a way to raise awareness, bear witness, and speak to urgent human and political realities.

Winning the National Geographic Explorer Grant also marked the beginning of a demanding and exciting new chapter in her work. Annie speaks openly about the scale of what lies ahead and the responsibility of committing to a project that must be carried through with depth, integrity, and intention.

When Annie reflects on what it has been like to work together, she speaks about kindness, patience, and care.

She describes feeling consistently supported and encouraged to think bigger, aim higher, and trust herself. Knowing that she can reach out for guidance as she navigates this transformative phase in her photography has been deeply reassuring for her.

Looking back, Annie sees a clear shift from where she was before the mentorship to where she is now. Her journey is a powerful example of what can happen when a meaningful vision is paired with structure, critical thinking, and steady support.

Annie’s story reflects the essence of the Mentorship Program: creating the conditions for photographers to think deeply, work with purpose, and pursue ambitious projects with clarity and confidence, knowing they are not alone as they take on work that truly matters.